The Rally got off to a wet start today as rain showers and high surf surge momentarily disrupted the technical inspection and the participants scrambled in search of higher ground. Once the nature cooperated the inspections concluded smoothly with all registered vehicles admitted to the rally. The large crowd attending the nightly briefing served as a reminder of the tremendous growth this event has experienced over the last four years. It was especially great to see all the familiar faces from years past.

Tomorrow Stage 1 gets underway with a short prologue starting at 8AM following a liaison to Taourirt in Morocco. The five-hour ferry trip from Almeria to Nador provides a final opportunity to rest and socialize before the hectic pace of competition begins on the African continent.

__________________

"What could possibly go wrong"

CBVRacing. "The race (Dakar) is what it is, it is being offered to racers, if they chose to sign up they should know that there are only 5 outcomes at the end of the two weeks: Finish, Mechanical, Abandon, Injuries, Death."

Stage 1 started at dawn with a short prologue in Almeria designed to give all competitors an introduction to the start procedure, navigation and timing used throughout the Rally. Based on preliminary reports everyone has completed the prologue successfully and no penalties were assessed.

Once all the rally vehicles assembled in port we boarded the vessel to sail us over the Mediterranean to the Moroccan city of Nador. Despite the beautiful weather the sailing was rather rough as the ship labored through large swells and choppy seas. After landing and clearing the customs everyone proceeded to tonight’s bivouac in Taourirt just in time for the 9PM briefing.

Stage 1 started at dawn with a short prologue in Almeria designed to give all competitors an introduction to the start procedure, navigation and timing used throughout the Rally. Based on preliminary reports everyone has completed the prologue successfully and no penalties were assessed.

Once all the rally vehicles assembled in port we boarded the vessel to sail us over the Mediterranean to the Moroccan city of Nador. Despite the beautiful weather the sailing was rather rough as the ship labored through large swells and choppy seas. After landing and clearing the customs everyone proceeded to tonight’s bivouac in Taourirt just in time for the 9PM briefing.

__________________

"What could possibly go wrong"

CBVRacing. "The race (Dakar) is what it is, it is being offered to racers, if they chose to sign up they should know that there are only 5 outcomes at the end of the two weeks: Finish, Mechanical, Abandon, Injuries, Death."